Moe competed against hundreds of other science students from 270 top research universities and colleges in the U.S.

That made him nervous.

“I was not expecting it, because there was a lot of huge universities. They called my name and I was like, ‘Wow! This is unbelievable,’ ” said Moe.

With an award in hand, and scholarship money in his pocket, Moe said he feels like he’s living the scientific and the American dream.

“It means a lot to me, I feel like I know what I’m doing in the scientific world.”

Moe is enrolled in the Mesa College “Bridges to Baccalaureate Program.” It’s designed to help underrepresented groups earn a bachelor’s degree. Moe has also applied to UCSD in hopes of becoming a doctor, a researcher or both.